The 318-acre S. B. Elliott State Park is in the heart of the Moshannon State Forest. This entirely wooded park offers picturesque areas of forest and swamp meadows and typical second growth mixed hardwood and oak timber.

History of the Area

This mountaintop was once covered in giant white pine and hemlock trees. At the turn of the century, the Central Pennsylvania Lumber Company and the Goodyear Lumber Company built railroads and roads to harvest the timber.

This logging devastated the area, entirely wiping out the magnificent stands of pine and hemlock. The logging companies swiftly departed, allowing the forests to regrow. The devastated land was eventually sold to the Commonwealth, usually at tax sales. This accumulation of land eventually became Moshannan State Forest.

Now about a century later, many of the logging roads and railroad grades can be seen in the maturing stands of oak and maple.

The Honorable Simon B. Elliott was a member of the Pennsylvania Legislature and a member of the old State Forestry Reservation Commission, a precursor to the Department of Forestry. This early conservationist promoted the idea of creating a nursery to raise trees for planting in the surrounding area.

In 1911, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania established the Clearfield Forest Tree Nursery in a mountain pasture atop Penfield Mountain. This nursery was later renamed for District Forester William F. Dague who was in charge of its operation from its start in 1911 until 1947. The Dague Nursery was closed in 1978, but its buildings and facilities are still in use as the Moshannon State Forest maintenance headquarters and the seed orchards still supply seeds for the other state nurseries.

In 1933, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) established Camp S-116 on land along the edge of the nursery and built the cabins, pavilions, roads, trails and many of the other buildings that exist today.

In that same year, 1933, the former Department of Forests and Waters erected a plaque dedicating Simon B. Elliott State Park. The plaque is on a stone in the pines along the northern edge of the park.

Cabins

Six rustic cabins, of CCC origin, are available for rent. Minimal furnishings include: single bunk beds, chairs, table, a modern stove, refrigerator, electric lights and fireplace.

Camping

Camping: rustic sites

A 25-site camping area, across from the log cabin park office, offers modern restrooms but no showers and a sanitary dump station. The maximum stay in this area is 14 days during the summer season and 21 days in spring and fall. The restroom and site seven are accessible. The campground is open from the second Friday in April to late December. All sites are first-come, first-served.

Picnicking amidst towering pines and oak trees, with ample parking, tables and picnic pavilions, is a treat for the whole family. Drinking water, garbage and recycling containers and composting restrooms are available throughout the park.

Trails

Hiking: 3 miles of trails

Hiking trails take visitors to various places on the mountaintop while backpack hikers can get on the Quehanna Trail by way of the Central Pennsylvania Lumber Company Trail. The Quehanna Trail system offers over 75 miles of hiking in various combinations from one overnight to seven overnights without retracing your steps by way of its northern and southern loops and connecting trails. This trail also connects onto the Susquehannock Trail system above the community of Sinnemahoning.

Snowmobiling:

During the winter months, the main parking lot is plowed to allow registered snowmobiles to unload and operate on the roads and trails in the Moshannon State Forest. A map of the roads and trails open to snowmobiling is available at the park office. Snowmobiles may be operated on designated trails and roads from the day following the last deer season in December until April 1, weather permitting.

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews

November 7my grandpa by d.e. dague

my grandpa was William f. Dague i grew up hikeing all over ellot park one o one and the nursery i never got to meet him he past 4 yrs before i was born but i have heard ll sorts of neat stories about him